Coughing may occur if the irritation is severe and cannot be cleared. This can be severe enough to crack rib and damage small blood vessels in the lungs. The second most common symptom occurring in about 1 in 5, is a chest infection. This is due to an inflammation of the lining over the lungs. A chest infection may cause chills, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight. Infections may not respond to antibiotics and if complete blockage occurs the patient may experience shortness breath, cough and a fever may rapidly develop.
There are many different types of treatment for lung cancer and a number of them can be used together. Anyone with lung cancer is of course hoping for a cure. Every effort is made to identify those who can be cured for treatments. One kind of treatment is surgery. Surgery is often the best and only chance of cure so it is important that patients are not denied the possibility. Once the diagnosis of lung cancer is made patients will be
Radiotherapy is the use of x - rays and other types of so called “ionizing radiation” to treat cancer. High doses of radiation damage the mechanisms that control the division of cells and cancers are often more sensitive to its effect than surrounding tissues. The dose of radiation that can be given is limited by the amount of damage done to normal tissues. Because of this it is not possible to give enough treatment to kill all the cancer cells. It is safer and more effective to divide the treatment up. It is usually given 4 - 5 times a week. Most treatment courses take around 3 - 6 weeks to complete. When treatment is given the patient is left alone and only the radiographer is able to see them through a special window and can talk through an intercom system. Each treatment, which is given through a large machine, only takes a few minutes. After the treatment patient will have side effects such as reddening and soreness, tiredness, pain and swelling, nausea and